Testing my Fantoni HB 01

**Lexa33** · 07-17-2012, 07:25 AM

testing my now Fantoni:

and

comments please

**Justa** · 07-18-2012, 07:33 PM

Thanks for the videos. I was recently debating between a zt 560/561 and a fantoni hb01. I got the zt but I still like the look of the fantoni and will probably get one some day.

How did the edge and lockup do after the cutting and chopping? Do you like how it carries and cuts or is it too big to practical most of the time? The knife looked like it did well in the video but I dont know what was being said so you may have been saying it sucked

**crom** · 07-20-2012, 08:58 AM

tough knife!

**rexromic** · 08-17-2012, 11:30 AM

Tough SOB of a knife.

**flash900** · 08-19-2012, 11:32 PM

Hey, I've looking for a review of the Fantonis.

Does anyone else have the HB01 or 02 who can speak to how easy these are to open?

There's a vid of the Beretta Tactical -- said to be identical, but who knows -- where the reviewer gets a bit heated over having trouble using the thumb studs.

**flash900** · 08-22-2012, 12:27 PM

Anyone have these?

**d.r.h.** · 09-19-2012, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by flash900

Does anyone else have the HB01 or 02 who can speak to how easy these are to open?

I'll let you know in a week or so. I have been interested in acquiring a Fantoni for a while now ... and decided today to just do it. I have enough larger knives and really prefer a 3" or so blade ... so went with the HB02. Have always heard that the fit/finish of the Fantoni knives is great.

**kriegbubby** · 09-20-2012, 01:06 PM

Ordered a Fantoni HB O2 They look like a awesome knive

**d.r.h.** · 09-22-2012, 01:08 PM

The HB 02 arrived today. Took some quick pics to give you my impression:

Very nice knife. No complaints with the fit and finish. It is not a large folder, though still fits my large hands rather well. Grip is very good due to the thumb ramp and jimping, as well as the finger guard. The blade came very sharp with extremely even bevels .... measured 22 degrees per side on my goniometer. The G-10 scales have a lot of grip .... actually too much for my tastes. I may sand them down just a tad to minimize wear and tear on my jeans pocket! The Fantoni name and logo on the pocket clip is a sort of iridescent blue, visible as blue or black, depending on the viewing angle. Pocket clip is nice and firm, but not too firm. Not really a fan of this type of 2-screw clip, but it will do.

As you can see in this picture above, thumb studs are very close to the scales and opening the knife may be difficult if you are used to opening such knives by pushing out and up on the thumb studs. With this knife, the easiest way to open it is push directly up on the thumb studs. I have no trouble opening it this way, though it is not as smooth opening as many knives due to the motion required. If I use my thumb nail and push/flick the thumb stud up, it opens much more quickly. Also note, that while the finger guard protrudes from the top side of the frame ..... it is not a flipper (nor is the knife marketed as a flipper). If you press hard enough you can get the blade to open slightly using the finger guard, but you will not be able to overcome the strong detent to open the knife fully in this manner. Also, this knife (at least the one I received) does not take kindly to wrist-flicking it open. The liner lock over-travels, wedging it tightly into the blade tang. Tried it once to see, and had to use a lot of force on the liner lock to get it to disengage. Thank goodness I am not into wrist flicking!

As you can see above, blade centering on mine was spot on. Lock-up at close to 50 percent (would have liked to see a tad earlier lock-up, that is just my preference).

Overall, it is a nice little knife. Then again .... so is my Spyderco Sage 1 (which is less than the HB 02 by more than a half). For me, the biggest con is the grippy G-10. Biggest pro is the ergos (thumb ramp and finger guard). Satisfied with the purchase, as I wanted to add a Fantoni to my collection.

**Justa** · 09-22-2012, 06:32 PM

Very nice pictures d.r.h. Thanks for posting them. I really like the looks of the HB01 and HB02.

**flash900** · 09-25-2012, 06:44 PM

Dennis, thanks for the fine review and photos.

I'd love to see a follow-up after you have used the Fantoni.

**kriegbubby** · 10-01-2012, 02:21 PM

Got mine in HB02 really well made knive I don't have no trouble flipping it opened just got to get used to it. Very light well designed worth every bit of what I paid for it just as good as a Chris Reeve or strider have all of them carry it everyday would highly recommend this knive for everyday carry.